Reaction Paper On The Degamo Case

Roel Ragay Degamo was the governor of Negros Oriental from 2011 to June 2022,
and he got the position again from October 2022 until he was assassinated on March
4, 2023. The Degamo Political case was a battle of politics that happened in the
Philippines between 2019 and 2021 during the time Degamo was ruling as governor.
The cases involved allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds, which
eventually led to Degamo’s suspension from the office, accessory penalties of
perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits,
cancellation of eligibility, and bar from taking the civil service examination since he
was found guilty of grave misconduct for the anomalous utilization of the Negros
Oriental province 2013 budget. Wherein this is where the case started when it began
in 2019 when Commission on Audit, issued a report on the utilization of funds by the
Negros Oriental Provincial Government. It revealed discrepancies including payment
of payment of contracts without public-bidding, the use of funds for non-public
purposes, and the lack of documentation for some expenses.
Throughout the years us Filipinos have already witnessed a lot of questionable
actions from the government, and it might as well already be known to the world that
our politics is corrupt. But after reading about the Degamo case, it just worsens my
perspective about the politics here in our country, it led me to question the legal
system for governance and accountability of officials and regulatory bodies. I think
that the case will serve as a reminder that the Philippines needs to establish more
stronger anti-corruption measures and more effective mechanisms for holding the
public officials accountable for them deviating away from the standards, laws, and
regulations that is set for them to follow. However, I don’t think that actions will be
taken anytime as I’ve also read and observed that the Philippine legal system is
often slow and inefficient and that these cases of corruption will definitely take years
to be resolved. Moreover, I think the case also highlighted the complex and disputed
relationship between the national and local governments in the Philippines.

To conclude, my overall reaction to the Degamo Political Case is that it would serve
as a vital example of the challenges facing good governance and accountability in
the Philippines. The justice system should hold public officials responsible for their
corruption, so that it will be a reminder that those with power and the right to rule
must act according to what is best for the people.